The Girl Without Hands (La jeune fille sans mains)

The Girl Without Hands

Are you that hungry?

Have you no bread?

I have neither bread nor water.

My purse is as dry as the river.

I can fill your purse if you give me what's behind your mill.

My apple tree?

What is behind your mill.

Without my apples, I'll have no food.

Why live on apples when you are rich?

If you're thirsty for wealth,

well then...

drink.

Water...

No.

Gold.

How did it happen?

I don't know.

There was a gust of wind.

And where's your father?

He took his axe into the forest.

All this gold...

Our life is going to change.

Run and tell your father.

This gold is so shiny...

yet it seems so dirty.

Dad!

Look, look! The water has come back.

It's not water.

We're rich forever!

What's behind your mill? What's behind it?

Yes, why eat apples when we're rich?!

Your daughter was there.

- My daughter? - Yes, your daughter.

In that tree you sold so dearly.

My daughter...

She was sold, too.

Your new room's ready. Come on.

My destiny is tied up with this tree. I won't leave it.

Come have a look anyway!

Come on.

I made it for you.

Look.

Look how it shines!

It's your room.

You'll be fine here.

Just fine, you'll see.

I'm the master of the house. And you?

Remember the pact in the forest?

Isn't that gold refreshing?

It is.

I'm delighted.

I've come for my dues.

It won't take long.

She's too clean.

I can't take her.

Stop her washing, you hear?

Like that gold, I want her dirty.

See you soon.

If you want to keep your gold,

do what's necessary.

How can you give away your own daughter?

I gave my word.

We received what we were promised. We'll lose it all.

We were poor for so many years.

She'll be well treated.

Well treated!

By that devil?

Oh, don't exaggerate.

That gold has changed you.

Give it back.

We were poor, but it wouldn't have lasted.

The water would have come back.

Give it back.

There's nothing I can do.

It's you.

So you say.

My wife died yesterday. Won't you leave us in peace?

You wanted to be rich. How could you be in peace?

Go on, bring her down. She's ready.

I can smell her stench from here.

Come down.

Louder!

You're a father, damn you!

Come down. Come down!

- You won't? - That's it.

You'll see.

Good.

What a fine thing to see a man at work!

Her foul odor masks her defense:

she's wept on her hands, so I can't take her.

Never mind.

Cut off her hands.

I gave you my word,

but I can't cut off my daughter's hands.

Cut or I'll take you.

And you'll have lost everything.

Father!

Father, here are my hands.

Do as you will.

I'm your daughter, I don't want to cause you misfortune.

You are all I have left.

Miller,

you did your duty like a good father.

Have no regrets.

Girl, tell your father your hands are no use to you

and he should enjoy

his treasure as he sees fit.

Be certain

he will have sweet thoughts for his daughter.

Such a good girl!

She cried on her stumps!

Miller, why is your daughter

so pure? A tear is enough.

I'll be generous.

Keep your riches.

I'll find a way to get my gains.

With interest.

Miller you are, miller you will remain.

All the world's gold doesn't make you a lord.

I reached out for you to protect me.

Did I have any choice?

I throw my gold at your feet.

My feet care not for your gold.

They just want to walk.

As much as possible.

Away from you.

How come such a young girl

comes to my bed?

Are you here to die?

On the contrary.

I wish only to live.

I just wanted to eat a pear.

The pears are in an orchard.

The orchard is in a garden.

This garden belongs to a prince.

You're not here by chance.

Go.

Eat.

And live.

Master!

Master!

Master, there's a strange glow

in the garden.

Did you see it?

I did.

She's an angel.

The one I've been waiting for.

Let's go find her.

Master!

Look.

The river said I could eat your pear.

I was so hungry.

Don't be scared.

I want to help you.

Let me look at you.

Your hair is lighter

than my barley.

Your eyes brighter than my fountains.

Your lips redder than my grapes.

Your skin cooler than the river.

You are so gentle.

You are as I always dreamed.

In my tree,

I thought only of you, prince.

You who talk to the river,

I bid you welcome.

You may now eat what you want. That is my wish.

This castle is your castle.

No!

You have come to me as you are.

If you want hands,

I will give you hands.

I'll give you anything.

The wedding of the prince and the young girl

was just like them.

The local people were invited.

And they all came.

They drank our wine and ate our fruit.

The prince offered the girl

carefully-crafted golden hands.

The gold was so fine

that they looked like real hands.

What's wrong?

I am sad for I must leave.

War has been declared on my distant borders.

Look.

My army is getting ready.

I knew it.

I dreamed of it all night.

I dreamed of your skin.

Don't worry.

I'll be back soon,

victorious.

Take my lips.

They're warmer than my hands.

This war won't last long.

Look after my land

and my castle.

I will look after your land